Can capping machine



Jan. 30, 1951 J. P. JAKOB CAN CAPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1946 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J. P. JAKOB CAN CAPPING MACHINE Jan. 30, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 13, 1946 ATTORNEYS Jan. 30, 1951 J. P. JAKOB CAN CAPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 15, 1946 R O T m vfl N I B ATTORNEYS J. P. JAKOB CAN CAPPING MACHINE Jan. 30, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1946 INVENTOR My BY Ma ATTORN'EYS Patented Jan. 30, 1951 CAN CA-PPING MACHINE John P. Jakob, Roselle, N. J., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y.-, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 13, 1946, Serial No. 690,128

This invention relates to can or container capping machines and has particular referenc to feeding cans and covers or caps adjacent an eccentric can lift device which raises the cans and which advances them in alignment with the moving covers so that each can is pressed tightly into its corresponding cover without stopping the advancement of either can or cover.

An object of the present invention is the provision in a can capping machine of eccentric can lifting and advancing mechanism for lifting a can while being advanced on a conveyor so that it is inserted into a cover while being advanced.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a machine of the character described of an eccentrically operated can lift for simultane-.

ously advancing and lifting a moving can into alignment with a moving cover to assemble the can within the cover While both continue to advance.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a can capping machine having a rotary turret with pockets for receiving, holding and advancing can covers and having a can lift device beneath the turret and beneath a can conveyor for engaging a moving can and inserting it into a cover held on the turret by lifting and independently advancing the moving can to bring the cover into sealing position with the can.

. Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the capping machine with parts removed and parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and viewed from the right hand side of that figure;

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view on a reduced scale of the gearing used in driving the apparatus;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged front elevations of the central part of the apparatus and illustrating different positions of the can and cover incidental to the capping operation;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detail of a portion of the can positioning device; and

Fig. 8 is afragmentary detail of a part of the can runway drawn to the same scale as and Viewed the broken line 88 in Fig. 6 and showthrough an assembly station E. Advancing cans C which have been filled with their contents also are passed through the station. During the passage of the can and the cover the two are assembled and then are discharged from the machine as a filled closed can D. The assembling is accomplished by lifting and by continuing movement of the can keeping in time with the advancing cover. V e H y The filled cans C are brought into the machine along a horizontal straight runway H which is set off by side guide rails l2.- The runway and the guide rails extend the full length of the machine and through the assembly station E. Guide rails l2 are supported on a longitudinal table I3 which constitutes a part of the machine frame. Such a frame is mounted on a suitable base [4.

The cans C may be received in timed order from a previous machine, as a filling machine, and are delivered to the table l3 on a conveyor belt 15. In the machine the conveyor belt passes over a pulley I6. From the belt IS the cans pass into the control of a chain conveyor H (see also Fig. 2) g which operates along one side of th runway. The conveyor ll carries feed dogs 18secured thereto at spaced intervals and these dogs uniformly propel the cans through the machine and through the assembly station B.

The conveyor l1 operates over an idler sprocket 22 (Figs. 2 and 4) disposed at the entrance end of the runway II and over a driving sprocket 23 which is located at the opposite or discharge end of the runway. The sprockets 22, 23 are mounted respectively on vertical shafts 24, 25 journaled' in bearings 26, 27 (see also Fig. l) of the machine main frame. I 'J e The conveyor driving sprocket 23 is rotated through bevel gears 32, 33 (Figs. 3 and 4). Bevel gear 32 is mounted on the lower end of the vertical shaft 25 and meshes with the bevel gear 33 which is mounted on a cross shaft 34. Shaft 34 is journaled in suitable bearings formed in a front wall 35 and in a rear wall 36 formed as an integral frame section of the table E3.

The shaft 34 is rotated by a gear 31 mounted on one end of the shaft. Gear 3'! meshes with and is driven through an idler gear 38 which rotates on a stud 39 secured in the table frame. The idler gear 38 meshes with and is driven by a drive gear Ml. which is mounted on a horizontal drive shaft 42. Shaft 42 is journaled in suitable bearings formed in the table frame sections 35 and 36. Shaft 42 may be driven in any suitable manner.

A bevel gear 43 is carried on the lower end of the idler sprocket shaft 24 and meshes with a bevel gear 44 carried on the shaft of the pulley I6. This provides the required timed movement for the can conveyor belt I5.

The covers A are brought into the machine on an inclined chute 45 which is mounted upon an arm 46 of a horizontal bracket 41 (Figs. 1 and 3). Bracket 41 is bolted to the upper end of a vertically disposed table bracket 48 which in turn is mounted on the table frame I3. Table bracket 48 is located back of the assembly station B, that is, adjacent the entrance end of the runway II.

Directly over the assembly station is mounted a cover feed turret to which the covers A are delivered from the chute 45. This turret is mounted upon the forward end of a horizontally disposed shaft 52. Shaft 52 is journaled in bearings 53, 54 (Figs. 2 and 3) formed in brackets 55, 56 bolted to the table bracket 48.

The turret shaft 52 is rotated by a gear 6| from the drive shaft 42. To provide the proper driving connection the gear 6i meshes with an idler gear 62 (Fig. 4) mounted on a stud 63 carried in the frame wall 36. This idler gear 62 also meshes with a second idler gear 64. Gear 64 rotates on a second stud 65 also supported by the frame wall 36 and meshes with the drive gear 40 onshaft 42.

The turret 5| has a plurality of cover receiving pockets 68 into which the covers A are delivered from the chute 45. A cover is upside down as it passes through and leaves the chute 45 and is deposited in such a position into a pocket at the top of the turret.

It is desirable in most cases that the cover be held positively in the pocket while being moved by the turret and holding means is accordingly provided. A permanent magnet 69 in the bottom of the pocket may be used for this purpose.

Turret 5| is continually rotated and to insure that each cover leaves the chute at a time to properly enter its turret pocket, a star wheel timing device is used. Such a device comprises a 'star'wheel 15 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) mounted to turn with a shaft I6. Shaft I6 is journaled in a bearing 'I'i formed in the bracket 41 and carries a gear I8. Gear I8 is driven by a meshing gear I9 mounted on the turret shaft 52.

Star wheel I5 is formed with four arms 8| and a spring pressed pin 82 is carried in each arm. The outer end of the pin protrudes from its arm and provides a yielding member for engaging inside of the inverted cover and for drawing it from the chute and for placing it into the pocket. In this removal a gravity stop finger 83 resting on't'he lowermost cover in the chute is lifted sufficiently to let the lowermost cover pass. This finger 83 is pivoted at 84 to the arm 46 and provides a stop for the lowermost cover in the chute 45.

The turret 5| rotates in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 1) and carries the cover A from the top position of the turret through 180 degrees bringing it into the assembly station B. During this travel the cover is turned over so that it is in an upright position at the bottom of the turret. The speed of rotation of the turret is such as to bring a cover into alignment,

withan advancing can C propelled by the chain I]. At the time the can and the cover reach the assembly station further mechanism operates to 4 insure that the can is lifted and at the same time is slightly advanced so that the upper part of the can will enter into the cover while the latter is still held within its turret pocket. This will now be described.

As a cover A approaches the bottom of the turret 5I in its advancement into the assembling station B, the advancing can C on which the cover will be positioned is also nearing the station. Its rate of advancement is the same as that of the cover.

The top edge of the can is in a plane slightly below the web part of the upright cover but owing to the angle of the cover in its travel with the turret, the forward portion of the upper can edge passes easily into the cover flange. Fig. 5 illustrates the coming together of can and cover and this is just before they enter into the assembling station.

Prior to the can reaching the position of Fig. 5 the rear portion of the upper can edge is engaged by a backing-up finger 9| which extends forward of an arm 92 (Figs. 3, 5, 6 and '7). The upper end of the arm is integral with a hub 93 loosely mounted on the turret shaft 52. Fig. 7 shows the finger SI in its raised position to permit the advancing can to pass beneath to reach a position ahead of the finger this being incidental to its engagement with the cover.

The arm 92 is rocked on the turret shaft 52 by cam action derived from the drive shaft 42. For this purpose a link 94 is pivotally connected between the arm 92 and an upper arm of a bell crank lever 95. The other arm of the lever 95 carries a pin 96 on which a cam roller 91 is mounted. Roller 91 traverses a cam groove of a face cam 98 keyed to the drive shaft 42. The bell crank lever is rocked on a stud 99 (Figs. 1 and '7) which is secured to the front table wall 35. By means of this connection the backing-up finger 9| allows the can to pass under following which the finger catches up and moves with the can as it comes into the position of Fig. 5. The backing-up finger prevents any tipping of the can and is particularly of value when a tall can' is being assembled. The backed-up can, imme-' diately following the position of Fig. 5, is en-' gaged and raised into the assembling position shown in Fig. 6 by the eccentrically operated can lifting mechanism briefly referred to.

The can lifting mechanism, best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, comprises an eccentric I05 secured to and rotating with the drive shaft 42. This eccentric operates in an eccentric strap I06 which surrounds it. An arm I01'is integral with the strap and extends horizontally from one side, its outer end being pivotally connected at I08 to the upper end of a link I09. The lower end of the link is pivoted on a stud I I I which is secured in the table frame I3.

A can lift H2 is carried on an upper extension I I3 formed on the eccentric strap I06. This can lift is provided with a front can locking ridge H4 and a similar rear ridge II5. These ridges set off a container pocket H6 in the top of the plunger. The table I3 is cut away at the assembling station B in an opening I IT. This provides clearance for the can lift H2 and permits it to pass up and over under the action of the eccentric I05.

Fig. 5 illustrates the can lift II 2 in the middle of its upward stroke at which time the can C is under the control of the conveyor finger I8 and the backing-up finger 9|. From this position the can lift continues to rise but the forward advance of the can is sufficient to cause it to. move ahead of the rear ridge II5 so that the can seats within the pocket I'I6 preparatory to being assembled with the cover A.

Fig. 1 shows the can lift at the top of its stroke and can and cover have been fully assembled. This is midway between the positions of Figs. 5 and 6. By the time the can and cover have reached the position in Fig. 6 the can lift has started to move down away from the can which at that time is resting upon the runway II. When in the intermediate position of Fig. 1 the can is entirely free from the top of the table I3.

It will be noted that by the time the can is down again upon the table, that the finger 9| has backed off from the can. The forward advancement of the can by means of the eccentrically controlled can lift is slightly ahead of both the finger SI and the propelling feed dog I8. By means of this combination of movements ofthe cover A and the can C, the latter is inserted gently into the cover, friction then holding the cover securely into place as the assembled can D moves down and pulls away from the magnet 69 in the turret cover pocket. The cover A has moved out of the turret pocket 68 when the parts are in the position of Fig. 6.

The closed can D upon being again positioned upon the table I3 is swept forward by the continuously moving conveyor I! and to insure that the can remains upon the table and is not carried up with the turret 5|, a stripping device is provided. This stripping device comprises two side fingers I2I (Figs. 6 and 8) which are an integral part of a middle plate I22. Plate I22 is carried on the lower end of an arm I23 (Fig. 1) which may be an integral part of the bracket 55. This is also illustrated in Fig. 3.

In this manner the can is advanced toward the right (Fig. l) for discharge on a conveyor belt I25 (see also Fig. 4). In the machine end the belt is carried on a pulley I26 secured to the forward end of the shaft 34. The discharge conveyor I25 removes the can to a suitable place of deposit.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a container capping machine, the combination of a can runway, a cover feeding device adjacent said runway for advancing covers, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway and in line with the advancing covers, and means for lifting and for independently additionally advancing an individual container ahead of its travel with said conveyor to insert the container into the cover without interrupting the advancement of either cover or container. -1.

2. In a container capping machine, the combination of a can runway, a cover feeding device adjacent said runway for advancing covers, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway and in lines with the advancing covers,

and eccentric means for lifting and for independently advancing an individual container moving with said conveyor to insert the container into the cover without interrupting the advancement of either cover or container.

6 3. In a container capping machine, the corribinationof a can runway, a cover feeding device adjacent said runway for advancing covers, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway and in line with the advancing covers, a device for engaging and advancing with the upper part of a moving container for backing up the same while on said runway, and eccentric means located below said runway for lifting from the runway an individual container moving with said conveyor to insert the raised backed-up container into the cover without interrupting the advancement of either cover or container.

4. In a container capping machine, the combination of a can runway, a cover feeding device located adjacent said runway for advancing covers, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway in the same direction and same rate of travel and in line with the advancing covers, a backing-up member for following and supporting the upper part of each moving container, and means for lifting and, in cooperation with said member, for independently additionally advancing an individual container ahead of its travel with said conveyor and ahead of said backing-up member to insert the container into the cover without interrupting the advancement of either cover or container.

5. In a container capping machine, the combination of a can runway, a cover feeding turret located above said runway and having cover receiving pockets for holding and for advancing covers, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway and in line with the advancing covers, a can lift located below the path of travel of the containers moving along said runway, and eccentric means connecting with said can lift to move it up and forward when a container moves into position thereover for lifting the moving container and for advancing it ahead of said conveyor to insert the container into a cover moving with said turret without interrupting the advancement of either cover or container.

6. In a container capping machine, the combination of a can runway, a cover feeding turret located above said runway and having cover receiving pockets for holding and for advancing covers, a cover chute for a supply of covers, a timing device located between said chute and said turret for transferring an individual cover from the chute to a turret pocket, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway and in line with the advancing covers, and eccentric means operable below said runway for lifting a moving container and for advancing it ahead of said conveyor to insert the container into a cover moving with said turret without interupting the advancement of either cover or container.

7. In a container capping machine, the combination of a can runway, a cover feeding turret located above said runway and having cover receiving pockets for holding and for advancing covers, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway and in line with the advancing covers, a can lift located below said runway, means on said can lift for locating a container thereon, and eccentric means operable below said runway for raising said can lift and for independently advancing it after a container has been located thereon to insert the container into a cover moving with said turret without interrupting the advancement of either cover or container.

8. In a container capping machine, the combination of a can runway, a cover feeding turret located above said runway and having cover receiving pockets for advancing covers, magnetic REFERENCES CITED means for temporarily holding said covers in said pockets during said advancement, a conveyor for advancing containers along said runway and in line with the advancing covers,

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS eccentric means operable below said runway for Number Nam Date lifting a moving container and for independent y 534,370 Munnell Feb. 19, 1895 advancing it to insert the container into a cover 1,141,502 Stock June 1, 1915 moving with said turret without interrupting the 1,366,742 Mrazek Jan. 25, 1921 advancement of either cover or container, and 10 stripping devices adjacent said cover feeding turret and engageable with said cover after its assembly with the container to remove it from said turret pocket.

JOHN P. JAKOB. 15 

